OSHA Inspection: GREAT WESTERN INORGANICS, INC.

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Feb 12, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

Hazardous substances 14402390

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees
were exposed to unsafe chemical storage:
(a)Two 50 kilogram containers of potassium cyanide were stored in close
proximity to a 55
gallon drum of acetic acid.  Mixing of the two chemicals would result in
the formation and
release of hydrogen cyanide gas.
(b)Potassium metal was not kept entirely under oil, allowing the formation
of oxides and/or
peroxides which are highly reactive and which can explode if they come in
contact with organic
matter.
(c)Ethers such as dioxane and tetrahydrofuran were stored on site for
several years after
being opened, creating the potential for formation of oxides and peroxides
which are highly
reactive and/or potentially explosive.
(d)Acids and bases were stored on top of each other in the main storage
area under a single
category of "corrosives".  Acids and bases react violently with an
exothermic reaction which
could cause a fire.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation is required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method for
eliminating this hazard
is:
-Pre-plan storage of chemicals designating areas for particular chemical
categories
which are
separated from other incompatible chemicals;
-Supervise any transferring of chemicals by maintenance personnel;
-Routinely evaluate stocks of chemicals which can form hazardous oxides or
peroxides during
storage (for example; potassium metal, ether, tetrahydrofuran, etc.);
-Put procedures in place to maintain these stocks safely (for example;
keep potassium metal
submerged in oil; keep ethers sealed under an inert atmosphere).
-Develop procedures for detection and removal of peroxides from ethers;
-Develop labelling and inventory procedures for these products; and
-Choose suitable methods of disposal.

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Feb 12, 1998

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $375 Reduced

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Feb 17, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Mar 9, 1998

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Feb 12, 1998

Hazardous substances 1390

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Feb 12, 1998

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $375 Reduced

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Feb 17, 1998

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Mar 9, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Feb 12, 1998

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Mar 9, 1998

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Mar 9, 1998

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Feb 12, 1998

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $375 Reduced

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Mar 9, 1998

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $375 Reduced

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Mar 9, 1998

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Mar 9, 1998

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $375 Reduced

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Mar 9, 1998

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Feb 4, 1998

Abate by

Mar 9, 1998